Shadows Drift Beyond Memory by Xarin Vale novel Chapter 47

Chapter 9

I hadn’t seen Quentin in days.

After everything that happened, Uncle Jasper moved me into a hotel.

I didn’t take a single thing I’d left at the Thornes‘.

Matthew and Willow called multiple times, wanting to see me. Jasper turned them down every time.

“We didn’t take good care of Rachel. That’s why she got hurt. But-”

“There’s no ‘but.‘ You didn’t take care of her. That’s it.”

Jasper cut them off. “There’s no point in you seeing Rachel anymore.”

After that, Jasper didn’t answer a single call from the Thornes.

Now, Quentin stood in front of us.

I didn’t say anythin

He collapsed to his knees before my uncle. “Uncle Campbell, please don’t take Rachel away.”

“I know I was wrong. I really do.”

“I’ll take care of her from now on. I promise.”

Ten years ago, eight–year–old Quentin had knelt in front of my uncle the same way, crying his heart out just to keep me there.

Ten years later, he was kneeling again–this time because of his own mistakes.

Quentin never thought that one impulsive game would make him lose me completely.

He thought I couldn’t live without him. He thought I needed Him.

But the world keeps turning, no matter who leaves.

“Ten years ago, I took pity on an eight–year–old boy. But now I won’t be swayed by an eighteen–year–old who

should know better.”

“I won’t make the same mistake twice.”

Jasper’s cold, resolute voice cut through Quentin’s last shred of hope.

15:17

His Girl Bro Lied ‘Not His Baby‘–DN Played Along, But Baby IS His!

34.9%

Chapter 9

The day I left, Quentin somehow found out.

He chased after me in his car, only to get into an accident halfway there.

Before boarding the plane, I got a call from Willow.

“Rachel, please–I’m begging you. Please come back and see Quentin.”

The woman on the other end was sobbing. It made my chest ache.

The plane on the tarmac started moving. I gripped my phone tightly and hung up.

[I’m not a doctor. I can’t save lives.]

[Willow, whatever we had between us–it ends here.]

After sending the message, I tossed my phone into the trash.

Thud.

I said goodbye to the past for good.

After arriving in California, I spent my time catching up on schoolwork and seeing a therapist.

After my eighteenth birthday, I could finally make a sound with my voice.

But being able to speak? That was still a long way off.

My uncle happily threw a celebration for me, saying it was to honor my new life.

At the banquet, I heard Quentin’s name.

People were talking about how the car accident had left him with serious aftereffects. He still walked with a limp.

“So even a once proud prodigy ends up like this…”

“Such a shame…”

I walked past with a wine glass in hand, like I was passing through the final chapter of Quentin’s life.

Later, I got into a university in California.

Uncle Jasper was overjoyed. He announced it everywhere, threw another big banquet.

The news eventually made its way back to the Manhattan. That night, I received an email from Quentin.

He congratulated me on getting into college and wished me the best.

15:17

His Girl Bro Lied ‘Not His Baby–DNA Played Along, But Baby IS His!

Chapter 9

I read it without replying and immediately blocked him.

The name “Quentin Thorne” should’ve been deleted from my life a long time ago.

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Chapter 1

Chapter 1